But as with most high risk investments, you also have a much higher potential reward. 

After listening to dozens of podcasts, and reading numerous real estate investing blogs and books I'm concerned that the following will doom me to failure.I'm not interested in traveling and I don't salivate over quotes.I've noticed repeatedly that real estate investing masters love nothing more than going on a vacation, and it just doesn't do it for me.

There's numerous 20-somethings through 40-somethings dotted all over the beltline. 

Anywhere on the risk/reward spectrum is fine, I'd just like my eyes open to the options for now :)

If you have the stomach for it, it's a very rewarding business but sometimes it can be scary, disturbing, challenging & sometimes down right disgusting.ENJOY!

It's really is very rewarding to take something like that and make it nice again.

They have numerous evictions, a theft record, the good tenant says they steal her stuff and their kids pull pieces of the house off (siding corners), and best for last, when they failed to pay the electric and it got turned off, they switched the meters, which of course is dangerous and put the good tenant in a mess with the electric co that was sending her the bills!!!

In your case, you could "reward" the tenant by telling her you want the home on a one-year lease but will leave the rent at $2,450 which is a $3,000 discount for her.

I have spoke with numerous property management companies and plan to meet up with a few when I get construction quotes.

If you think the overall mix of risk/reward for the IRA will produce better long term results that leaving all of the IRA money in the stock market, then take a closer look at the self-directed IRA options to facilitate such an investment.